SANAA, Oct.9 (Xinhua) -- Yemeni army said more than 100 rebels were killed and over 280 were injured as the Al-Houthi rebels launched an attack on Thursday night, the Yemen news agency (SABA)reported on Friday.

The rebels who tried to infiltrate into some areas in Saada, northern Yemen, attacked the government army and civilians in villages. The Yemeni government army and the security forces fought back and forced the rebels to retreat.

The government troops also destroyed the rebels' weapons and equipment, SABA quoted a military source as saying.

Defense minister Mohammed Nasser Ahmed paid on Friday a visit to Saada, he praised the high morale of the troops and listened to a detailed report of operations in the province.

Hundreds of rebels were killed since the confrontations between the government troops and the rebels started in August.

More than 300 Houthis were killed and hundreds were injured arrested and surrendering in the past week.